The Jacksonville Jaguars season is coming to a close as they travel to Indianapolis with a chance to end the year on a high note against the Colts.
It’s been a rocky year for the organization. The team that owner Shad Khan called the most talented Jaguars team ever cratered to a lock in the first 10 slots in April’s NFL draft.
Furthermore, this could be head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke’s last game in their respective positions.
A lot of change should be on the way in Jacksonville. Yet, there is a game to be played as the Jaguars hope to secure their fifth victory of the campaign.
For the final time this season, Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at the key matchups ahead of the Jaguars’ matchup against the Colts.
Jaguars defense vs. Colts quarterback Joe Flacco
Entering the season, the Jaguars’ defense was supposed to be a strength and was boldly predicted to be a top-10 unit in 2024. Instead, it’s been one of the worst in the league right alongside the Carolina Panthers.
This week presents an opportunity for Jacksonville’s defense to end on a strong note. The unit’s play in recent weeks has gotten better thanks to improved discipline, the development of rookie interior linemen Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson, and the production of pass rush duo of Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.
This front will be taking on a Colts offense that has allowed the eighth-highest pressure rate in the NFL at 37.8 percent, according to Next Gen Stats. With Joe Flacco and the lack of mobility will allow the Jaguars to be more aggressive at attacking the QB and could evolve an increase in blitzes from defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
Flacco has his moments in the sun but is prone to mistakes as of late. If the Jaguars want to end the year right, getting home on the veteran signal-caller and forcing him into bad decisions will be key.
Hines-Allen will be unavailable for the game due to personal reasons, emphasizing the need for big days from Walker, Smith and Jefferson, among other Jaguars’ trench players.
Jaguars offensive line vs. Colts defensive line
This game will be won and lost in the trenches. Jacksonville has held the edge compared to its opponents in this regard in recent weeks, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
The Jaguars’ offensive line has seen consistent play up front from their interior with guards Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Schreff alongside center Mitch Morse. Right tackle Anton Harrison has improved his played in recent weeks as well, and the team currently bestows a 12.3 percent pressure rate allowed, the fifth-lowest in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats.
However, the front five will face one of the NFL’s best interior defensive linemen, DeForest Buckner, who possesses the second-highest pressure rate in the league among pass rushers with at least 200 rushing snaps (12.3 percent).
Slowing down Buckner won’t be easy, but blocking the rest of the Colts’ defensive front might not be as hard. The unit has been an Achilles heel for Indianapolis all season, posing an advantage for Jacksonville.
If the Jaguars can quiet Buckner in the trenches, this could spell success for quarterback Mac Jones and company.
